Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams

[dateline] Plimouth feb 3d1789

How dos my dear Mrs Adams like the City of New york: its manners & amusements as it may probably be her
future residence I hope she found every thing prefectly agreable— shall I hope before
you fix in that distant abode that you will make us an Visit at Plimouth: to such
a traveler the journey can be nothing. and since that Mrs Adams, friendship is unimpaired: I should think (judging from my own feelings) that
no stimulous would be necessary but the recollection of former mutual Confidence &
affection. such a Visit would give particular pleasure to me not apt to change her
attachments either from time place absence or other accidents—

I hope you left Mrs smith & her little ones well & happy I should be pleased to see the Attention of
the young Mother at the head of her Family where I dare say she acquits herself to
the approbation of her Friends. her maternal tenderness she has from instinct. her
domestic avocations she has been taught by early Example, & her own Good sense will
ever make her respectable. you know my partiallity towards her. I loved her from a
Child nor has absence made any abatement. therefore you will mention me with affection
when you Write again.—

Is my Friend Mrs Montgomery yet sailed for Ireland.—1 I will not ask any more questions least the number of your replys should preclude
some sentiment of your own when I am again Gratifiied with a letter.

My pen has lain Comparitively still this winter, I have been sick: very sick and very
long, nor have yet been out since the middle of october. but hope as the spring approaches
to revive with the summer insect: & if able to take wing shall probably alight among
those whose converse both improves & enlivens the social hour.

If the Coll & Mrs smith should Visit the Massachusets in the spring: before you leave it: I hope they
will extend their Journey to Plimouth. & I am sure they have no friends who will recieve
them with more sincere Cordiallity than this & your affectionate Friend

1. Janet Livingston Montgomery (1743–1828) was the widow of Gen. Richard Montgomery and
the eldest child of Margaret Beekman and Robert Livingston. The general had been born
in Ireland, and in the summer of 1789, Janet Montgomery went there to visit his family
(Katherine M. Babbitt, Janet Montgomery: Hudson River Squire, Monroe, N.Y., 1975, p. 3, 14, 20–22; DAB).